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The Dilemma! 1988 LX 5.0

  • Thread starter Thread starter TTSaleen
  • Start date Start date Sep 11, 2025

TTSaleen

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Apr 27, 2025
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Sep 11, 2025
#1
  • Sep 11, 2025
  • #1
I have a almost bone stock 1988 LX 5.0 with only 48k original miles.
It has had some basic work such as -
Complete Maximum Motorsports suspension upgrade
3.55 gears
Flowmaster catback exhaust
Corbeau front seats

But the engine, intake, t/b, clutch and transmission are all original.
I have a 331 stroker engine out of my other project that I could drop in.

Curious what you think if I should keep it stock/original or modify it?

Ryan
 

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
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Sep 11, 2025
#2
  • Sep 11, 2025
  • #2
Couldn’t watch your video at the time I read this so hopefully you didn’t answer this question, but you seem to have a lot of heavily modified foxes/mustangs already. Do you have any other low mileage clean ones? That would be my only reason to leave this one as is. Otherwise, it still has a lot of work done to it with the suspension and gears so I don’t think you gain anything by leaving the engine/trans stock.

Personally I would use the 331 if it’s a decent drivers engine (not too choppy or Bucky).
 
Reactions: General karthief, Noobz347, TTSaleen and 1 other person

Noobz347

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Sep 11, 2025
#3
  • Sep 11, 2025
  • #3
The car is already outside the scope of a concourse restoration so, you might as well have fun with it and make it is how you want to drive it.

A nice HCI stroker sounds like a great light-to-light and cruise combo. I would go easy on the cam and make sure it had good "school-zone manners".
 
Reactions: General karthief and TTSaleen
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